Ohio R&D Center to Advance National Security Propulsion Technology

Ursa Major, America's privately funded company focusing solely on rocket propulsion, is establishing a new research-and-development center in Youngstown, OH, to advance additive manufacturing and materials development technology for liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors. The center represents a capital investment of $14.5 million, which includes $4 million in assistance in the form of a JobsOhio R&D Grant. Ursa Major worked closely with JobsOhio Network partner Team NEO to secure funding for the expansion, which will be in the new Lake to River region.

The R&D center marks an expansion in Ohio, where Ursa Major already 3D prints hardware for propulsion systems. In the coming years, the company will expand its workforce from three to 18 people. 

Liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors power platforms that are essential for America’s security, including high-performance munitions, hypersonic weapons, in-space propulsion systems and space launch. Ursa Major is expanding its R&D efforts to meet a growing portfolio of U.S. Department of Defense development contracts. 

“The new R&D center in Youngstown takes advantage of Ohio’s manufacturing heritage and uniquely skilled workforce to advance manufacturing in service to our national security,” says Ursa Major CEO Joe Laurienti. “Raw material access, supply chain, and a vibrant additive manufacturing ecosystem as a result of the America Makes program make Youngstown an ideal home for this center.” 

The new center will be in Boardman and will accelerate new material development and qualification processes for aerospace applications of additive manufacturing. This includes developing metallic alloys for solid rocket motors and development of copper and nickel alloys for liquid rocket engines. The center will be home to multiple Laser Powder Bed Fusion 3D Printers, which are machines that enable speed for rapid prototyping and material development.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.